Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-29
FOREIGN FRIENDS.
SIR IDwABD THORNTON AND Mr.
BRAITHwAIrE HERE.
They Call Upon Governor Lee and Meet
the Legislative Committee
Personal.

Nu""iu ctNAtdhy, "A''
terday afternoon from Washington on
the fast mail
There were but few people at the
Byrd-Street station when the train
pulled in. The most prominent of
these were Ex-Governor W. T.. Came
ron, who was on his way TO Petersburg,
and Major Fred. r. Scott, who was
present TO meet friends.
AS Sir Edward stepped from the plat
form OF the Pullman drawing-room car,
with his daughter leaning upon his
right arm and a small black-leather
valise in his left hand, followed by the
other two gentlemen, some one stand
ing by remarked, "There goes the
English commissioner who has come TO
settle the Virginia State debt, and all
eyes were directed 10 him.
PAUSE.
When Sir Edward and party entered
the reception-room of the station they
paused for a moment, looked around
as if they expected to meet with some
one, and, seeing no one waiting for
them, passed out through the door
opening on Byrd street. Here an en-
terprising negro hackman, driving a
most dilapidata3 vehicle, harnessed to
which were a pair Of thin. scrawny
horses, spied them. The Jehu, holding
up his hand, with whip extended, said
Hack, sah?" One of the gentlemen
Of the British party beckoned him,
gave him orders, the four got in, and
he drove off down Cary street until
Fourteenth was reached, and thence
proceeded to the Exchange and Ballard
Hotel, where they stopped.
"THANKs, BOSS"
As Sir Edward alighted from the
hack he opened his purse and took
fIom it two dollars in silver, handing
them to the diver, saying: ." Is that
enough 2" A broad grin illumined the
darky's face as he obsequiously doffed
his hat and replied Thanky, boss"
The distinguished party then went
into the Exchange Hotel.
Mr.. Bouverie, who is apparently
about thirty five years of age, walked
up to the register and in rapid hand
wrote: "Sir Edward Thornton, Miss
Thornton, S. n. Braithwaite, f. o. ?.
Bouverie, London"
Sir Edward stood near the clerks
desk at the time.
Sir Edward is a very fine-lOOking
gentleman of sixty-seven years of age.
st glance he has much the appearance
of the late Thomas NJ. Alfriend, but not
so tall. His hair is gray or rather white,
and so are his side-whiskers. His lips
and chin are cleanly shaved. He is OF
medium height, is sparely built, and
weighs, at a guess, about 140 pounds.
Yesterday hewore a dark suit of clothes,
dark oyercoat, and black silk hat.
Neither Sir Edward nor Mr.. Braith
waite had a word to say while in the
rotunda of the hotel. They maintained
a rigid diplomatic silence, and soon they
were shown their rooms.
THEIR QUARTERS.
Sir Edward Thornton and daughter
occupy a beautiful suit OF rooms in the
Ballard House. The rooms are hand
somely furnished and open into pri-
vate parlor. These lit is well to say
lust once more) are the same that were
occupied by the Prince of Wales and
the Marquis Of LOrne and Princess
Louise when they visited this city-the
first named before the war, the two last
a few years ago. They were likewise
occupied by President Hayes when he
was here i'll 1877.
uR. COOPER CALLS.
About half an hour after the party's
arrival at the hotel Mr.. James Z.
Cooper, agent of the English bond
holders, called on Sir Edward and was
closeted with him for a good while ;
after which Mr.. Cooper entered the
hotel Office and communicated with
Governor Lee through the phone, and
it was arranged that the English com
missioners should meet the Governor
and the legislative committee at the
Governors residence at g. o'clock.
THEY CALL UPON THE GOVERNOR.
At o'clock Sir Edward and Mr..
Braithwaite, and their secretary, Mr..
Bouverie, left the Exchange and Bal
lard House and walked up to the Gov
ernor's Mansion. Upon arriving there
they were ushered into the Governors
study, and presented their credentials
to GoYernor Lee.
The credentials were signed by Mr.
T.. Pleydell Bouverie, chairman of the
Council of Foreign Bondholders, and
empowered them to treat with the COM
mittee appointed by the Legislature,
and expressed the hope that they would
be able to come TO some terms by which
the debt OF the State may be amicably
adjusted.
They were in conversation with the
Governor when the Legislative commit
tee arrived. Governor Lee introduced
each of the Englishmen to each com
mitteeman, and this done he said
And now. after these introductons, am
sure represent Virginia when In her name
welcome within her borders the representatives
OF tho Council OF Foreign Bondholders and say
that she re1oices that subject Of such vital
interest 10 her growth, glory, and greatness has
been committed on tho one side 10 a oom-
mittee the pane and fame Of whose chairman,
whether as the honsred representative to this
American republic from his own great KING
dom or In HE successful solution OF Intricate
problems elsewhere, has ever commanded
our respect and confidence, and on the other
10 you representative Virgiuians whose hearts
beat so strong for the peace and prosperity OF
She Commonwealth.
REMARKS OF SPEAKER STUART.
Speaker Stuart chairman of the
committee) then said
Gentleman.-As the Joint committee OF the
General Assembly appointed In pursuance or
the following resolution
Rssoired b. the Senate (ths House Of Delegates
concurriug). That Joint committee consisting
Of three men bers Of th Senate aud Ave Of the
House be appointed by the presiding officers
of the respective houses, who snail be charged
with the duty-first. OF meeting with a COM
mission from the Council Of Foreign Bond
holders and ascerteining what amount OF the
bonds OF Virginia IL owned or controlled by
said Council os Foreign Bondholders; second,
10 demonstrate to said commission the inabill-
ty OF the people Of the State TO boar greater
burden OF taxation, and also 10 show what are
the revenues and sho necessary expenditures
of the government and the available revenues
for the payment OF interest," aud to point out
20 them that which addresses itself 10 their In
terest 50 wen as TO the interest OF the state
we bid you welcome 10 the Commonwealth OF
Virginia
For the first time In the many years OF agi-
tation touching the public debt tie holders OF
Virginia securities have sought conferences
with the representatives Of the people OF the
Commonwealth.
Our actions, we trust. will all tend towards
securing q settlement Of this distressing aad
hsrassing question Without increasing the